This is whiskey heaven. That's the only way to describe it. From the rarest and most unique to the everyday and most popular, OKBB has it all. The surroundings are attractive and welcoming, down to an umbrella stand behind the front door. From a couple of ladies chatting over a glass of wine or whiskey lovers enjoying a Manhattan or trying a corn whiskey, the atmosphere on my visit was relaxing and cozy, in direct contrast to dreary, damp evening.
I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the patron aficionados and their exchange of ideas with the staff. Stop by for one of their tastings or just listen to Molly, Rich or their knowledgeable staff and you can get a real education and appreciation of whiskey.
After a recent relocation, I have found myself within walking distance to a bunch of decent bars, a couple of good ones and one great one: OKBB. The bartenders are some of the most knowledgeable and affable that I have ever met.
Forget the fact that this place is hip, sleek and new age, all in a high-end Bluegrass-meets-steampunk package. The guys and gals in front of and behind the bar are friendly and conversational. The lighting is dim, the music is Johnny Cash-esque and the 150+ bourbon and whiskeys behind the bar are begging to be imbibed.
The staff is great. I recommend asking them for their opinions and preferences. If you are lucky, you may get a short course in bourbon-ology. Either a neat whiskey or one of the daily cocktail specials (can you say world's best Manhattan?!?) is my favorite.
Do yourself a favor and grab a drink at this bar.
We stopped by here for a quick drink with friends on a Saturday night. My husband is a bourbon lover; I am decidedly not. The bartender was notified of my bourbon aversion and whipped up a ginger cocktail of some sort that was smooth, delicious and completely drinkable...amazing! The space had a cozy inviting feel and the wall of bourbon behind the bar was truly a sight to behold. Kentucky and bourbon go hand in hand and this was a fun spot to wet the old whistle.
Review Source:This is the kind of place that could easily be the set of a 1930's speakeasy. The bar itself is small, and there are only a few seats at the bar, a bench running alongside the wall and one picnic table. But every time I've been here, it hasn't been crowded. That's probably due in part that they don't serve Bud Light and blare techno music in a dark room. They don't have beer here, so don't even ask. (This also makes it difficult when going with a group of people and that one person doesn't drink bourbon so they awkwardly sit and watch everyone else sipping their drinks.) My husband is starting to enjoy good bourbons like they are supposed to be enjoyed and since I don't drink it straight, they offer us ladies a few different cocktail options. My favorite is the one made with cherry juice!
Go try OKBB when you have the craving for a good bourbon, a cozy fire and great classic rock music.
OKBB is a great breath of fresh air (literally) in a strip of bars with lots of 'Kentucky character.' It's a very small place, so I don't recommend this as a place to hang out on a busy Friday or Saturday night. But it's a great mid-week or early bar. The bar walls are literally covered with hundreds of bottles of whiskey. And for people like me who don't know a bourbon from a rye, the bartenders are a fountain of knowledge. In addition to their vast knowledge, they also make great whisky drinks. They have something for everyone, even the non-whisky lovers. My favorite drink for the cold weather is their hot apply cider. It comes complete with your choice of whisky and is perfect for the cold winter evenings.
Review Source:Read the name of the bar, now don't look surprised when you walk in and can't get a margarita or a mai tai. Â You're here to talk bourbon, whisky, and rye, don't correct me on the spelling, I know there's a difference, don't really care. Â As a beginner in the bourbon scene, the staff is super knowledgable, so come on a thursday when it's quieter, there are drink specials, and you can ask questions and won't feel like a moron.
Review Source:Visited this place on Friday night and Sunday night this weekend. Still the best bar in the area.
If you're not coming here for brown liquors then don't come here. If you are coming here for brown liquors, you may not leave.
One bottle of vodka in the place. And it's hidden. How do you not love that.
LOVE the OKBB!
It helps that I love bourbon. If you don't love bourbon, or don't want to attempt to--then you really have no business here. There isn't anything else, except for mixers, to make bourbon cocktails. And it's very small. But if you DO love bourbon, or love the idea of bourbon and want to know it better--this is your place.
We went to a bourbon tasting event here, and it was WONDERFUL. Because it's so small, essentially everyone there was there for the tasting. That created a really fantastic experience, with everyone focused on the same thing and learning and drinking together.
It's run by the brilliance that is Japp's and Neon's, with the incomparable Molly Welllmann, so that should encourage you even more. Go on, give bourbon a shot! :)
I drink whisky and bourbon, but usually it has to be mixed with something and even then, I find it to be quite strong. Â My palette is developing. Â When I went to the OKBB and ordered a Manhattan, it was possibly the finest Manhattan I've ever had. Â It was perfectly balanced and almost refreshing. Â You could taste the rye and the bitters and it all worked so well together. Â The bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable about all the whisky they have and are more than happy to make recommendations or talk your ear off in general. Â It's a friendly, yet trendy atmosphere and is nice to belly up to the bar, sit against the wall or if you can grab the back table with a group, it's also a nice experience. Â They have other whisky based cocktails, but don't expect them to have vodka, gin or anything like that readily available. Â I applaud them for their whisky/bourbon only focus. Â They do it quite well.
Review Source:I am not a bourbon snob or nerd as it were. I put myself in the capable hands of the experts. My bestie however, is one of those nerds. I took her to OKBB on a nice weekday evening for a drink. The staff are the exact perfect mix of bourbon nerd and genteel. They won't give you the High Fidelity treatment here. They will answer your questions and try to tailor something to you based on your experience and tastes. I thoroughly enjoyed each drink they've made for me there including the Seelbach and the Horse's Neck.
Sundays $6 mint juleps!
I'm so torn on this place. I'll first start by saying, as many of the reviewers have stated, that I LOVE bourbon. My drink of choice when I go out is usually either an IPA brew or bourbon. So, my three star review isn't because I don't get this place or understand it.
The building is a really, really neat building. It is very chic and modern, yet rustic. It really is a cool atmosphere and an awesome place to drink. They make good use of the small space by adding bench seating along the wall which is a cool idea.
My problem comes in with the bourbon itself. As shown by some of the pictures the portions are small, measured meticulously, for each pour. This would not be a problem if not for the price. Upwards of $9 for couple ounce pour. I understand bourbon discovery but, correlate the price to the small pour. This actually detracts me from wanting to try anything else than I already know I like because I don't want to pay for something that expensive if I'm not sure if I'm even going to like it.
They do have a million (not really, but close) different kinds of bourbon, whiskey's and rye's and they can pretty much make anything you want considering this is a Molly Wellman establishment. The bartenders are very knowledgeable as I would only expect. The mixed bourbon drinks that I had were good again, as I would only expect.
They should do one of two things, either lower the prices or raise the portions. My recommendation is that if you want bourbon you've had before and can't find it anywhere else, come here. If you want bourbon that you've had before and CAN find it somewhere else, don't come here. It is a bourbon discovery bar, yet it seems to me that they are deterring people from discovering, at least me.
My favorite bar in Mainstrasse!!
First of all, I LOVE bourbon, so what better place could I go??
I first went on my birthday with a group of friends, and Josh, our bartender was nothing short of awesome, making superb bourbon suggestions and suggesting drinks for the non-bourbon drinkers. Â His concoctions were delish!!
I love the vibe in OKBB, I do not normally go to bars alone, but I am totally comfortable here alone.... the last time I was there, wearing a skirt and heels, sipping a bourbon, neat, I felt very 1948. Â I dig it.
And these dudes know their bourbon, holy hell! Aside from the sick amount of knowledge, they make you feel very comfortable.. GREAT BAR!
Although, I'm selfish, and it's a small place, I'd kinda like it to remain relatively unknown, so I can always find a barstool, yet still wildly successful.
Anyway, if you like bourbon, a cool vibe, bartenders that are mad knowledgable, this is the place for you!!
Maybe I'll see you there!!!!
I was there during the Oktoberfest this weekend, so the place was packed. But even with the crowd, the bartenders were amazingly friendly and helpful. They encouraged us to come back so they can really "do their thing," which meant making sense of the VERY large selection of Bourbons. I loved the little bar and look and feel of the place, and will definitely be back when it's a bit quieter. Â
The area itself is pretty small, but it's well crafted in a woodsy, very bourbon-appropriate feel. The whole wall behind the bar is full of many, many bourbons, but like I said, the bartenders know them all well and can help anyone make sense of them.
We tried a flight of bourbons, which was three small pours (the total they said amounts to about one shot) and was served with spring water. They also have a few bitters so I believe they can make a good cocktail, too. Â They also usually have related beers (Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale- my favorite!) but were completely out due to the crowds.
I love this place. It's very small, as other reviewers have noted, and thus, it's best enjoyed alone or in a small group, earlier in the evening or on a low-traffic evening (like a Tuesday).
One of the bar's best features is its staff. As with all of Molly Wellman's establishments, the bartenders know their liquor. And here, the name of the game is bourbon, whisky, scotch. They are incredibly knowledgable, interested and interesting, and wonderfully attentive to the customers. When you go to drink at OKBB, you get a lesson as well as a drink, and both are equally excellent.
Other than that, the space is charming, bright, and warm. The bathrooms (well, at least the ladies') are really a darling cross between speakeasy and Old West charm.
I'm eager to return, and I hope to see you there.
Awesome, knowledgable bartenders. Â I needed something that would be a little easier on the palate than straight bourbon (I know, embarrassing!) but my husband is a HUGE bourbon fan, so I had a delicious Old-Fashioned and he got to sample one of their huge selection of bourbons and whiskeys. Â They even have bourbon flights. The ONLY thing lacking was I kind of wish they had a cocktail menu. Overall, can't wait to go back.
Review Source:If you like bourbon and know about bourbon, I would recommend it. Â if you are a novice, like me, you may find the place a bit intimidating. Â The bartender was of absolutely no help and seemed more than a bit full of himself. Â And when said bartender refers to product on their shelves as "offensive" and "tastes like shit", why would you even serve that product. Â I went there to try to learn a bit more about different bourbons. Â Instead, I was talked down to. Â I don't see myself going back anytime soon, if ever.
Review Source:I don't typically enjoy bars. Especially ones that don't have food, but this place is incredible. From the amazing selection of bourbon (at fantastic prices if you know your bourbon) to the incredibly knowledgeable  bartenders. This place is not one to miss. Great atmosphere that if you know nothing about bourbon you will come to love it...and if you do know something about bourbon....it's heaven.
Review Source:Overpriced, hipstered out, and tiny... it's like they brought a little chunk of the trendy douchebagerdom that defines OTR to the much more authentic and fun Kentucky. Â With any luck, their exorbitant prices and inherently elitist attitude will get them to change their tune when the new wears off. Â Avoid at all costs. Â If your friends want to meet there, encourage another venue. Â There are at least fifteen locations on Main Street, Covington. Â No point in meeting up at the shittiest one.
Also, I looks like when they opened they invited some Yelpers to come down and probably get some free samples. Â There are about a dozen reviews from opening night that are all positive and all by prominent Yelpers. Â I'm not accusing anyone of anything, I will just let you draw your own conclusions.
Skip this place.
For what it is, this place is perfect. If you don't like bourbon, don't go. If you do like bourbon and want to sample a favorite or learn about something new, this is the place for you. Came here with girlfriends on a recent Saturday night and we snagged the large picnic-style table in the back. It isn't a large place for sure, but that helps with the feeling of being in a special spot (probably wouldn't feel that way if it was packed though). They offer a bourbon of the day, a mixed drink special, and a bourbon flight in addition to the wall of bottles behind the bar (no menu, just ask or point).
I tried the bourbon flight (3 tastes for $10) and was very pleased. The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable and I found a new bourbon I liked from the flight. The place feels civilized without being stuffy and the clientele is slightly older and more low key than your usual bar so it makes for an enjoyable stop after a nice dinner at one of the Mainstrasse restaurants.
I am a huge fan of bourbon. I am a huge fan of the group who opened this bar. It is a winning combination.
Love. This. Place.
The atmosphere is terrific. While small, it is perfect to catch a happy hour with a close friend or two in an intimate setting. And the staff really knows their stuff. These guys are well trained. Go ahead, ask them about any bottle you see on the wall before you. They can give you the history, the nuances of the flavor, and even guide you to something you might like.
My very first trip in was the night before a big event in my life. I went right for the Pappy Van Winkle 23-year. It was a once in a life time experience, and I do not for an instant regret the price. Each sip put me in heaven.
You don't have to break the bank though. While there are some higher priced pours, you can enjoy just as many delicious, and reasonably priced, selections as well. And while not a fully stocked bar, there are a few beers on tap, as well as some mixed drink selections if you aren't a straight bourbon drinker. Though I recommend you try at least one. You may change your mind.
Love. Love. Love.
After a refusal to make a deshaes Manhattan and a dismissal of a mint julep ( I was asked to go to Cincinnati) I have concluded that bourbon should not be put n a box. Â A bit stuffy and hipsterish - I love bourbon and do not want to be told how to drink it. Brought some out of town guests Saturday night - So uncomfortable and hot in there. No AC whatsover or outside seating.
Review Source:Love love love Molly's newest venture! Ordered a Seelbach(bourbon cocktail) and a Pappy Van Winkle 10 year bourbon. Both were delcious and priced well.
But it was in the details that make OKBB such a special place. Â In addition to the impressive wall of bourbons (50+) each pour was beautifully served in Glen Clarin glasses. My friend (bourbon lover) said for bourbon drinkers its the preferred way to serve premium bourbons. Â He was right, the bourbon was delicious.
Everyone should visit this bar, I'm sure OKBB will become a favorite.
Excellent selection of Bourbon at very fair prices. The bar staff was also very friendly and knowledgable! During our visit I tried the Rowan's Creek, A.H. Hirsch, Wild Turkey Tradition and Michter's Rye. All were delicious! I recommend getting there early to get a seat at the bar. The bar is very small but the atmosphere is made for the bourbon fan! It can get a little noisy at times but we'll definitely be back.
Review Source:This is one of those bars that I hope makes it and sticks around for a long time. Â I love the concept and I love bourbon and anything that Molly Wellman is involved in has got to be good.
I still have a problem with paying too much for a drink though. Â $6-$7 for a small glass of bourbon is too much for me. Â The place it super small too, which I think will be ok, I'm not sure if the place will be packed once the newness wears off. Â This is a pretty specific bar and if people don't know they like bourbon they may not even try it. Â
On the rare occasion that I get down to Kentucky to drink if I can talk friends into it maybe I'll make a stop in for a beginning drink because I do love me some bourbon!
As a fan of everything made of alcohol, I rather like this place.
It is the hipster cowboy bar, you never knew you missed.
The prices are what to be expected for a "specialized" bar, but not sure if it will fit in with the other, not so "specialized" bars in the area.
First of all you get a real glass, which I am a big fan of.
They only serve bourbon and bourbon related spirits, which I am a big fan of.
They play Johnny Cash regularly, whom I am a big fan of.
Downside to this place is the time it takes the bartenders to make a drink(or should I say the time they take to service each of their clients).
I know you are suppose to drink bourbon straight, but I pay for it, so spare me the look when I put coke in my Bullet bourbon(that is how I like it...)
And the price is a little on the high side, but I don't mind paying for good alcohol.
I hope this place stays in business and the populace from across the river, will venture over to sample some Covington hospitality!
Because I don't see too many people in the mainstrasse scene, that cares about drinking a well made alcoholic bourbon beverage, in a real glass...
For a Bourbon drinker this place would be heaven. Â The selection of bourbon is unbelievable. Â It is a very small place, which is appropriate for a niche bar like this. Â But is seems right for a bourbon bar, not too big or loud and an intimate decor. Â I went there after a dinner at Otto's, which this place is well suited for a drink before or after dinner or the theatre. Â The special are up to Molly's standards, different and very good. Â I do like bourbon, that may be coming from southern parents where bourbon is the standard before dinner drink.
Review Source:A bourbon bar in Covington. Tell me more ...
A bourbon bar with over 100 bottles of bourbon? Ok, I'm in.
Who doesn't love a good niche bar that caters to an audience who loves it. This bar is tiny. Tiny tiny. Like, no more than 40 people tiny. Unlike their other spots like Japp's and Neons, this is a place not for your everyday consumer but your lover of bourbon.
... Or, if you're just curious about bourbon like I am.
I didn't think I was a fan of the drink but heck, I'm willing to try something new. I went and did just that. Tried something different. Something that may have made me like bourbon a little more (like apple pie moonshine!)
The bar has a classic feel with wood on the walls, mood lighting and comfortable bar seats. There's even a wooden picnic table in the back that they made themselves. Yes, classic.
The drinks are about $6 to $7 for a small glass of bourbon (more than a taset but less than a full glass) and a little bit more for cocktails.
I'm still not sure I'm sold on this whole "bourbon" thing, but with a place this nice, I'll keep giving it a try.
Thanks to yelp, i got to attend their exclusive preview, while the place is very small (capacity is literally 30/40 people) it makes up for it in atmosphere. A friend has explained to me that only the best bartenders from Japps/Neons are filtered in to work at the OKBB, Josh was incredibly helpful & knowledgeable about the many different bourbons gracing their walls.
Looking forward to what type of events Miss Wellman has in store for OKBB.
As usual, I wish there were an option between three and four stars...
Obviously, bourbon aficionados are going to love this place. Amazing selection and very knowledgeable staff, but not intimidating to beginners/newcomers, either. You can get some crazy bourbon no one has ever heard of, or you can get Old Granddad 100. I approve.
What I did not love at the Yelp preview was the noise level. The space is fairly small and has a max occupancy of about 35 people. When this place is filled to capacity, it will be LOUD (and crowded, obviously). This isn't different from any other bar, but it's probably not what you're looking for when going to a place like this. You want to relax and have a conversation while slowly sipping a nice bourbon, not shout at the person sitting next to you while getting bumped into constantly.
That said, I'm guessing the place won't be quite so crowded all the time, but the idea that it might be would make me hesitate to take someone here. Maybe it'll be best on weeknights, or earlier on a weekend evening.
In any case, kudos to Molly Wellmann and her associates for bringing a wealth of bourbon knowledge and access to the Cincinnati area. It's definitely going to give a lot of people all the more reason to cross the river and come hang out in NKY. (Bonus: no smoking here!)
Staff: awesome. Second to none.
Drinks: plentiful. Even a non-bourbon-lover like myself can enjoy themselves here!
Atmosphere: Gorgeous, intimate and rustic
This is a rare gem in the Cincinnati metro area! You won't be disappointed!
The only reason why I don't give it a fifth star is that if you're like me and don't like bourbon or whiskey, it's pretty intimidating and may prove to be a limiting factor for new clientele. I probably won't come back unless there is another event there, but if you love bourbon or just want to learn more about it, look no further!
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